What is a really good interest rate?

Asked by: Triston McCullough  |  Last update: April 6, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (16 votes)

A good interest rate on a personal loan is anything lower than the market's average rate. But a good rate for you depends on your credit score. For example, if you have excellent credit, a rate below 11 percent would be considered good, while 12.5 percent would be less competitive.

Is an interest rate of 6% high?

Meanwhile, interest rates are still high, and for homebuyers, this means mortgage rates between 6% and 7% — forcing many to put their plans on hold until borrowing becomes more affordable.

What is considered a good interest rate?

It depends on the type of card you're looking at, as well as your own credit. A credit card APR below 10% is definitely good, but you may have to go to a local bank or credit union to find it. The Federal Reserve tracks credit card interest rates, and an APR below the average would also be considered good.

Is 5% considered a high interest rate?

According to Rachel Sanborn Lawrence, advisory services director and certified financial planner at Ellevest, you should feel OK about taking on purposeful debt that's below 10% APR, and even better if it's below 5% APR.

Is a 7.5% interest rate good?

Your Financial History and Income

That's why you often see the annual percentage rate (APR) shown as a range, like 7.50% to 18%. People with excellent credit and higher income will get the 7.50% and people with lower credit scores and moderate income may get the 18%.

Car Loan Interest Rates Explained (For Beginners)

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What is a too high interest rate?

Although there is no strict definition for high-interest debt, many experts classify it as anything above the average interest rates for mortgages and student loans. These typically range between 2% and 7%, meaning that interest rates of 8% and above are considered high.

Is a 3.75 mortgage rate good?

3.75% is considered a good mortgage rate. This number can vary depending on the type of home loan that you have and other factors such as your credit score, the length of the loan, and other factors.

What is an extremely high interest rate?

A high-interest loan has an annual percentage rate above 36%, the highest APR that most consumer advocates consider affordable. High-interest loans are offered by online and storefront lenders that promise fast funding and easy applications, sometimes without checking your credit.

What is a good APR for a mortgage?

A good rate for a mortgage now is anything below the average rate for a 30-year mortgage, which is 6.67% in mid-June 2023. But a good mortgage rate can be different for every borrower, depending on their financial situation and credit score, as well as the type of home loan they're applying for, among other factors.

What was the interest rate around 1970?

Rates began near 7% in 1970 and by the end of the decade rose to almost 13%. With inflation and unemployment rates at a high, the American people were faced with the Great Inflation. The home prices rose from an average of $23,100 in 1970 to $56,910 in 1980. At the start of 1980 interest rates averaged 7%.

Why is my APR so high with good credit?

Even people with good credit scores make mistakes, and a bank may charge a penalty APR on your credit card without placing a negative mark on your credit report. Penalty APRs typically increase credit card interest rates significantly due to a late, returned or missed payment.

What is a great mortgage rate?

As of Monday, January 13, 2025, current interest rates in California are 7.33% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 6.61% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. This aligns with current national mortgage rate trends.

Is a 6 percent interest rate good?

A “good” mortgage rate is different for everyone. In today's market, a good mortgage interest rate can fall in the high-6% range, depending on several factors, such as the type of mortgage, loan term, and individual financial circumstances.

How high can interest rates go legally?

There is no federally mandated maximum interest rate for credit cards. For credit cards, the CARD Act offers various protections and provides more transparency when it comes to rates.

Will interest rates go down in 2024?

At its February 2024 meeting, the Reserve Bank Board decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.35 per cent. This decision supports progress of inflation to the midpoint of the 2–3 per cent target range within a reasonable timeframe and continued moderate growth in employment.

What is an acceptable APR rate?

According to the Service Quality Measurement (SQM) Group , the industry standard for a good FCR rate falls between 70 and 79 percent, which means about 30 percent of tickets take more than one interaction to resolve.

What is the highest interest rate in history?

These actions resulted in historically low mortgage rates until early 2022, when the Fed began tightening its balance sheet and raising rates to combat inflation. What's the Highest Mortgage Rate in History? From 1971 to present, the highest average mortgage rate ever recorded was 18.63% in October 1981.

What is an excellent interest rate?

A good interest rate on a personal loan is anything lower than the market's average rate. But a good rate for you depends on your credit score. For example, if you have excellent credit, a rate below 11 percent would be considered good, while 12.5 percent would be less competitive.

What interest rate is illegal?

In California, absent an exception which we discuss in depth below, the maximum allowable interest rate for consumer loans is 10% per year. For non-consumer loans, the interest rate can bear the maximum of whichever is greater between either: i) 10% per annum; or ii) the “federal discount rate” plus 5%.

What is the average mortgage on a $300 000 house?

Your monthly payment for a $300,000 mortgage and a 30-year loan term could range from $1,798 to $2,201, depending on your interest rate and other factors. Learn more about the upfront and long-term costs of a home loan.

How many people have a 3% mortgage?

More than three-quarters of homeowners — 78.7 percent — have a mortgage rate below 5 percent, while nearly 6 in 10 — 59.4 percent — have a mortgage below 4 percent. Just 22.6 percent have a mortgage rate below 3 percent, according to Redfin.

What is the recommended mortgage to salary?

Mortgage to income ratio: Common rules

The 28% mortgage rule states that you should spend 28% or less of your monthly gross income on your mortgage payment (including principal, interest, taxes and insurance). To gauge how much you can afford using this rule, multiply your monthly gross income by 28%.